w exploded from

of his head where Eleanor had struck him. His steps carried a faint, almost imperceptible stagger from the severe concussion, but the sheer, unadu

his spear. He

the spine of the wolf closest to Eleanor. A sickening crack echoed through

oned Eleanor and lun

e. He reached out with both hands and grab

arms bulged, thick veins popping against his skin. With a

bone was deafening. Jace ripped the al

ace's chest and face. He tossed the

hey tucked their tails between their legs and

lent, save for Jace's h

His dark eyes locked onto Eleanor, who was curled

d hit him. She had run away

o long strides. He towered ove

her eyes shut, wa

hands reached out. He didn't strike her. His rough fingers gen

her palm, and the dirt covering her clothes. The violent rage

ze snapped to the g

back. It coiled, ready t

ight behind its head before it could move. The snake wra

pop sounded as he crushed the snake's skull to mush.

was staring at him, her chest h

eached out and used his thumb to gently

covered in gore who had just ripped a wolf apart with h

illed over her eyelashes, tracin

to wipe them away with the back of his hand, only s

his camp. Yet, at this exact moment, he was also the only impenetrable barrier between her and a gruesome death. Logic screamed at her to keep her distance, but the primal, overwhelming instinct to s

n, his massive arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly agai

eartbeat, Eleanor felt the first sliver of safe

out. The darkness rushed in,

d up, cradling her against his

learing, spears raised, panting heavily. They stopped dead, staring

n't say a word. He adjusted his grip on Elea